Laodicea

There is nothing to commend here. It is full of indecision and indifference —
neither cold nor hot {Rev. 3:15}.
Respectability before men, selfishness, worldly prosperity, and independence of Christ, characterized Laodicea. There was no felt need, and Christ was outside the door, obliged to knock for admission. He was ready to spue them out of His mouth. A terrible state, indeed, and yet a faithful picture of the conclusion of this dispensation. Christ presents Himself to them as
the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God {Rev. 3:14}
— the decided One, who always said Amen to God’s word, and faithfully carried it out; and being the Head of the new creation, He is worthy of the affection and service of all His people, and is almighty to judge as well as to bless.
The Church of Smyrna was poor in earthly goods, but rich in faith. Laodicea was rich in earthly possessions, but most miserably poor spiritually. We have here an assembly which is content to have Christ outside the door. Is it possible? Alas! it is too true. Orthodox doctrine held inside, perhaps; but Christ Himself neither the object of the affections, nor practically owned as the Lord. They would have been ashamed to say so, but the fact was, they could get on very well without Christ’s presence or power. This is fearful, but it is no uncommon sin of these last days. These elements seem now to be rapidly growing. Still Christ did not give Laodicea up. His patient grace as wonderfully brought out. He offers counsel, in case there should be one only in the whole assembly who hath an ear to hear. Get true riches, says He;
gold tried in the fire;
a priceless garment — the bridal dress,
white raiment;
and the only anointing that can profit you, spiritual unction —
Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see {Rev. 3:18}.
Then they would be “rich,” then their “nakedness” would be covered, then their “blind” eyes would see; for their hearts and minds would be fully set upon the beauty and work of Christ. Here alone true riches can be found. Happy those who can say,
“Jesus shall our treasure be,
Now and through eternity.”
The Lord chastens as many as He loves, to bring their hearts off these carnal, fading things to Himself, and says that if there be only one person in the whole assembly that will
open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me {Rev. 3:20}.
What blessed encouragement this is to any individual saint who desires to own and serve Christ fully in an evil time.
The overcomer is promised the highest thing that Christ can give — to sit with Him on His throne.
We now come to the end of the second part of the Revelation,
The things which are {Rev. 1:19}.
We have seen, in thus briefly considering the letters to the seven assemblies, all the general features of gradual declension and falling away that have marked the history of the Church on earth.
1. There was decline of affection to Christ.
2. Outward persecution.
3. Seduction and worldliness.
4. The mother of harlots — Popery.
5. Formality and deadness, with outward respectability, and a faithful few — Protestantism.
6. Revival of evangelical truth, effort for the glory of Christ, and obedience to His word.
7. Christless religion with worldly prosperity.
Can we doubt, then, that Christ gives us here a prophetic sketch of the course of the assembly on earth, that He furnishes us with instruction as to corporate and individual responsibility, and reveals His mind touching all the principles of good and evil brought before us?
In the next chapter we shall enter upon the things which shall be hereafter, or after these things. This division occupies the remainder of the book. It is subdivided into several sections. The first is, The throne of God in heaven, and the, Lamb taking the book.